Chapter 7

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"Am I leaving? Where am I supposed to go?"

Xiao Yun looked at Han Yi with a bewildered expression, as if she were seeing through a fog.

Han Yi said seriously, "I don't care where you go, just don't stay here."

Xiao Yun's eyes widened in surprise, "You want to drive me away?"

"You can also think of it as me asking you to leave," Han Yi smiled lightly, trying to sound casual, "You've seen the situation in the Han family. Staying here would only be suffering. As the saying goes, when disaster strikes, everyone flies their own way. I can understand this, and I won't blame you. You don't belong here, and there's no need for you to stay, so you should leave."

Xiao Yun's eyebrows furrowed, and she glanced at Han Yi, "So, in your heart, I am this kind of person."

Han Yi shook his head and smiled, "I don't have the energy to care what kind of person you are. From now on, we have no more relationship, OK?"

Seeing Xiao Yun staring at him without a word, he added, "Why are you looking at me? Actually, I know that you married into the Han family just to repay a debt. Don't deny it. I, Han Yi, know my own worth. I'm even far worse than my father. You would look at me? I don't believe it myself. Fortunately, we haven't had any intimate relationship, and the Han family doesn't owe you anything. Let's part ways amicably."

Because he had the memories of the previous Han Yi, in those memories, Xiao Yun and Han Yi were more like a sister and a brother. Whether it was the tone of their conversations or the way they interacted, it was always in the manner of an elder and a junior, with no romantic feelings involved. It was unclear whether the previous Han Yi was naive or deliberately pretending to be unaware, but now Han Yi could clearly feel it. He didn't understand why Xiao Yun had agreed to marry Han Yi, a weak and parasitic man. Xiao Yun should have known Han Yi well; such a man was absolutely unsuitable for a lifetime commitment. So, the only explanation was that she was repaying a debt.

After all, the previous Han Yi was known for his weakness, with no sense of responsibility, and his shoulders were always slumped. No matter how poor and hard Han Dashi was, he still carried the family on his shoulders, raising Han Yi alone. He was a very responsible man, and even though he was just a farmer, he could be considered a man of integrity. Even the current Han Yi admired Han Dashi, knowing he couldn't do the same. So, if he were a woman, he would rather choose Han Dashi, the old ox, than Han Yi, the tender grass, because the previous Han Yi couldn't provide anyone with a sense of security.

As a seasoned con artist, Han Yi understood Xiao Yun's psychology very well.

To put it bluntly, it was a form of self-abandonment.

Xiao Yun remained silent, staring at Han Yi. After a while, she suddenly picked up her bundle and walked out.

This was a wise move! Han Yi didn't see her off, but he sincerely said, "Take care!" After Xiao Yun left, he turned and went back to the inner room.

Life is truly full of twists and turns. They had just gotten married a few days ago, and now they were going their separate ways.

Han Yi lay on the bed, hands behind his head, legs propped up, and eyes blankly staring at the dilapidated ceiling, thinking about how to pay off the debt.

Actually, he had no confidence at all. Otherwise, he wouldn't have rushed to make Xiao Yun leave. He was also worried that if he couldn't pay the money, Wang Bao wouldn't let Xiao Yun off. This was the last thing he wanted to see. Such a good cabbage, he wouldn't let it be taken by a pig, but he really couldn't protect Xiao Yun. So, making Xiao Yun leave was the best choice. Besides, Wang Bao's target was Xiao Yun. If she left, his pressure would naturally be much less.

What should he do?

Han Yi couldn't help but recall how he used to make money in the past.

Collect protection fees?

Please, with my physique, I should be grateful if I'm not the one being extorted.

Continue to deceive?

I don't even know what the environment or situation is here. How can I deceive anyone? And my old tricks don't work here. This place is full of antiques, and there's no financial industry.

"Forget it, forget it. It's just me now. At worst, I'll die. Let me sleep for now; at least I'll save a meal."

Thinking about it, Han Yi fell asleep. He was indeed very tired, both physically and mentally.

He slept until it was dark, fully embodying the spirit of "the wind blows the eggshell, the wife leaves, and the birds are happy."

When he woke up, he suddenly noticed a dim candlelight coming from the front room.

"Who's there?"

As Han Yi spoke, he jumped out of bed and quietly walked out, just in time to see someone coming in, who was none other than Xiao Yun, who had left in the afternoon.

"Why are you still here?"

Han Yi looked surprised.

Xiao Yun looked at Han Yi and said with a gentle smile, "Husband—"

"Don't call me husband, it gives me a headache. Just call me Han Yi."

Han Yi waved his hand, his expression firm.

He had never planned to get married before, and he still didn't. This was because he came from a broken family. His parents divorced when he was very young because his father had someone else. He then lived with his mother, but unfortunately, she worked very hard, both as a father and a mother, and eventually fell ill and died when he was very young.

Since then, he had roamed the streets, engaging in petty theft. Although his father was still alive, he was stubborn and refused to seek his father's help. His father had another family, but fortunately, Han Yi had a natural talent for deception, so he didn't starve on the streets. However, growing up on the streets without any guidance, and running to nightclubs to con people at a young age, his character became similar to his father, whom he deeply hated. After making money, he also became quite promiscuous. In such an environment, it was hard to grow into a virtuous person.

This created a very contradictory psychology. He had seen his mother's pain and hardship after the divorce, which was an indelible memory. He also saw himself behaving similarly, and his profession was not something to be proud of. Therefore, he believed that marrying anyone would harm them, and he didn't want to create another woman's tragedy. So, he decided not to marry. Since he had money, he never lacked women, of all races and nationalities, but they were all for casual relationships. He had a simple rule: mutual consent, and a good parting. He never talked about feelings, whether with a fairy or a saint.

His partner, Pete Zhu, described his psychology as a mental cancer that was hard to change.

But it was precisely because of this that, as a con artist without emotional attachments, he was extremely terrifying, which was a significant factor in his success.

"You left, didn't you? Why did you come back? Did you forget something?"

Han Yi was extremely unhappy about Xiao Yun's return. In his view, Xiao Yun didn't like him, and he didn't want a wife. A good parting was the best outcome. Being together would only make both of them miserable, so why make things difficult for each other?

"Han Yi, that's enough."

Xiao Yun suddenly shouted, pointing at Han Yi, "I know you are weak, but I didn't expect you to be this weak. Have you ever seen anyone who, when faced with a little difficulty, drives their wife away? As a man, shouldn't you take responsibility for the family?"

Han Yi retorted, "I've never seen such a man, but I've seen many who sell their wives to pay off debts."

Not just in ancient times, but even in the modern world, he had seen many who sold their wives to pay off debts. Many of the girls in nightclubs came from such situations.

Xiao Yun was taken aback, then sneered, "I'm afraid you don't even have the courage for that."

Han Yi nodded, "Yes, I don't have the courage. So, why did you come back for a man like me? I really can't understand your actions."

"I, Xiao Yun, may be a woman, but I know how to repay kindness," Xiao Yun said proudly, "What you said earlier is correct. The Han family doesn't owe me anything, but I owe the Han family a lot. Uncle Han hoped I would marry you so I could take care of you. And this debt is because of me. I never intended for you to pay it. Don't worry about it; I have a plan."

"You have a plan? Why didn't you say so earlier? I was scared all afternoon."

Han Yi patted his chest, feeling much relieved.

What a useless man.

Xiao Yun muttered to herself, then said coldly, "Let's eat." She placed a grayish bowl on the low table by the bed. The bed in the Tang Dynasty was truly versatile, used for everything except as a toilet, including intimate activities.

Speaking of eating, Han Yi suddenly felt very hungry and quickly sat on the bed, saying, "Bring me some chopsticks quickly."

"Do it yourself."

"Wow! As a wife, shouldn't you help your husband with the chopsticks?" Han Yi said, crossing his legs and sounding indignant.

Xiao Yun was furious, "Han Yi, you are truly shameless. I'll help you pay off the debt and then leave, with no further ties."

"As long as you can pay off the debt, I'll help you with the chopsticks."

The more angry Xiao Yun became, the happier Han Yi seemed. He jumped out of bed, got a pair of chopsticks, and sat back on the bed. Looking at the table, he saw that the Tang Dynasty dinner was very simple, just one bowl with three or four oddly shaped, gray-green objects. "Is—this wild vegetable cake?"

Based on his memories, Han Yi finally managed to name the dish, but it was unrecognizable.

Wild vegetable cake is made from wild vegetables and glutinous rice.

Xiao Yun ignored him.

After feeling foolish, Han Yi didn't bother to speak. He was really hungry, so he picked up a wild vegetable cake and put it in his mouth.

"Ugh—!"

As soon as he tasted it, Han Yi spit it out. He couldn't describe the taste; it was just terrible. "Wow, what did you make? How can it be so awful?"

He had been unconscious for a few days, and yesterday's meal from Yang Lin's family, though not delicious, was edible. He wasn't picky about food; instant noodles were a meal, and so were delicacies. But this cake was unbearable, a real torment.

Xiao Yun's red lips parted, and she took a small bite, chewing slowly, "I think it's quite good."

Han Yi was stunned, "That's impossible."

"It is quite good," Xiao Yun took another bite and said casually, "Maybe your taste hasn't recovered yet because you're still sick."

Is that it? Han Yi was confused.

Xiao Yun added, "Eat it or not, but there's not much food left in the house. Don't come to me if you get hungry later."

That's true; he couldn't waste it. How would he survive the night otherwise?

After thinking for a while, Han Yi suddenly jumped off the bed, went to the kitchen, and brought back a large bowl of water. He crushed the wild vegetable cakes and mixed them into the water, then gulped it down. It tasted like bitter soil, like drinking Chinese medicine.

"Ugh—!"

As soon as he finished, Han Yi's cheeks puffed up, and he quickly covered his mouth, forcing it down.

"Disgusting, I can't even look at it."

Xiao Yun threw the remaining half into the bowl and said coldly, "Finished?"

"Um."

Han Yi didn't dare to speak, just nodded with his mouth closed.

Xiao Yun didn't say anything more, cleaned up the table, and walked out.

"Phew—!"

After a while, Han Yi let out a sigh, muttering to himself, "Is my sense of taste really that bad?"

"Ouch—!"

Han Yi suddenly clutched his stomach, his eyes bulging, "No way, is there something wrong with my intestines? I can't hold it anymore."

Han Yi quickly jumped off the bed and rushed out. As he turned a corner, he saw a slender figure by a large willow tree, her lotus-like arms supporting the trunk, one hand on her chest, and her head lowered as she vomited.

"Wow! It's not my sense of taste that's the problem, but my intelligence is being outmatched. But this woman can endure; she can make such a terrible thing taste like abalone. Not being a con artist is a waste of talent."

Han Yi suddenly understood, feeling both angry and amused. In his previous life, he had played the game for ten years without a single mistake, but in this life, he was already being outsmarted. What a comeuppance.